(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, Tanzanian police briefly detained and interrogated Peter Saramba, a reporter for the “Majira” newspaper, in connection with reports that police were forcing civilians to join them in the search for bodies of miners feared dead in a recent disaster. Saramba was detained on 15 April 1998, at Usa River Police […]
(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, Tanzanian police briefly detained and
interrogated Peter Saramba, a reporter for the “Majira” newspaper, in
connection with reports that police were forcing civilians to join them in
the search for bodies of miners feared dead in a recent disaster. Saramba
was detained on 15 April 1998, at Usa River Police Station in Arusha, on
orders of Tanzania’s Inspector General of Police. Saramba was interrogated
for five hours. Police recorded personal details about him before he was
released with instructions that he should report to the police station on 16
April 1998 at 8:00 a.m.
Saramba was at the Mererani mining area to collect some information about
100 miners who are feared dead after heavy rain flooded their mine.
Journalists who witnessed the incident said that Inspector General of Police
Omari Mahita asked them if there was a news reporter from “Majira” among
them before police could release information to them. Saramba came forward
and was asked if he was the author of the offending story, which appeared in
the 14 April 1998 edition of “Majira.” The story claimed that the Tanzania
Peoples Defence Force (JWTZ – TPDF) beat up civilians who refused to
participate in the search and collection of the dead bodies from the mines.
